§ Ms JowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Security if he will reconsider the rules for the treatment of capital made by the DSS in its calculation that for every £250 of saving, or part of £250, over and above £3,000 there could be a reduction of £1 in benefits payable.
§ Mr. BurtThe arrangements for the treatment of capital in the income-related benefits are kept under review, but we have no plans for change at present. The formula applied for taking account of capital above £3,000 does not imply any particular return on investments. It ensures that help is targeted on those who need it most, while not denying benefit to those with only a moderate amount of capital.